RS> The point you have missed is that QBasic cant produce an EXE.
 RS> Its only an interpreter.

  What! It says: "Create stand-alone EXE file." Doesn't that mean it's
got a compiler?

 RS> You appear to be using a true compiler, no QBasic, whats
 RS> supplied standard with DOS 6. Thats fine, its just not QBasic
 RS> tho.

  Oh! At last I see what you mean. No. It's not the cut-down QBasic
that comes with DOS6; it's the real thing: QBasic v4.5 - $25 on
remainder from M$, batteries not included.

 BL> Is there any way to pass parameters - like you can do with a
 BL> BAT file and %1 thingies? The QBasic book is deathly silent on
 BL> the matter.

 RS> The traditional workaround for that problem is to just write
 RS> them in a disk file in the Telemate script and read that file
 RS> with the QBasic prog. Then you dont need parameter passing.

  Yair, I worked that out, but it's a long-winded way to go about it.

 RS> Yeah, its simpler to include it on the DOS line.

 RS> OTOH do you really want to do that anyway ? How are you getting
 RS> the user to specify which dialling directly entry to use ? That
 RS> may be a bit operationally messy in use too.

  Is it ever! I wrote a little script that searches for the parameter
in the dialling directory (Ten Minute Limit or telephone number), then
erases the existing script so it doesn't try to run, and then put it
back afterwards. The other way is to add a new directory and put its
directory number in the script the way that Brenton did it, but this
means another entry. Operationally, you never know what's happening,
but you have to be careful the Telemate script doesn't get too long
or it runs as slowly as a wet weekend.

  It's all very messy and patchy. It was bad enough writing bits in
Brenton's bat files and running FREQCRC, but it's much worse in
Telemate without ASC() and no hex... not to mention the special use of
the carat and assorted macros symbols lurking. I've written the QBasic
crc calculator that accepts a Telemate-generated data file (with all
its silly ^{at} and that), and it works really well, but now I have to
write a separate exe to create the file request file. The idea of
text-editing a file with funny numbers is for the birds.

  I have to admit that I've lost interest in stuffing around with
Telemate. I won't admit defeat, but once I've got something
running I'll probably switch to Telix permanently, and a script
language that works properly.

  I rather like QBasic. It's a bit frustrating and long-winded at
times, but it seems op do the job. What do you think of Visual Basic?

Regards,
Bob
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